PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team broke a 7-7 tie with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to claim a 9-7 victory over Washburn University and take the best-of-three game series against the Ichabods Sunday (May 16). The Gorillas advance to the semifinal round of the 2021 MIAA Baseball Championship and will meet top-seeded University of Central Missouri at Noon Thursday (May 20) at Joplin, Mo.

The Gorillas (28-14) broke through against the Ichabods in the eighth on Garrett McGowan's sharply hit grounder with the bases loaded. McGowan's ball ricocheted off WU reliever Zach Philbon's leg and Ichabods shortstop Xavier DeLeon flipped the ball to second baseman Eric Hinostroza. Hinostroza was unable to complete the double play and his relay throw sailed into the WU dugout for an error. Pitt State's Mason Hartman scored from third base and Cruz Aranda came home from second after Hinostroza's errant throw.

Dawson Pomeroy (2-0) worked 3 2/3 innings of relief to earn the win for the Gorillas, allowing just one hit by the Ichabods down the stretch. He entered the game in the sixth inning  after Pitt State relievers Jordan Mendenhall and Bennett Scherer ran into trouble in the frame. Pomeroy allowed a game-tying two-run single to Wyatt Featherston, before inducing DeLeon to ground into a double play to end a five-run scoring inning by the Ichabods.

Justin Root pitched 5.3 solid innings in his first start of the season for Pitt State, allowing six hits and three runs.

McGowan went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run and four total RBIs in the contest. Blain Ohlmeier had a pair of doubles and scored twice, while Aranda and also had two hits and two RBIs.